Homesick

The Old Homestead

painted by BB from the photo below

See the log cabin?  That is the original home my ancestors lived in

at Hailstorm Creek.  It is a real place, but it's not called that anymore.

These are my people.

~

Most of them passed before I knew them, but I lived and grew up

on this farm until I went off into the world.

My father kept the door locked to this place for a long time after his

mama passed.  Eventually someone in my family became acutely aware

of all the antiques inside and decided to "rescue" them.  After that,

the door was not kept so locked and the building just eventually

began to rot.  There's nothing left of it now, but a heap in the ground.

~

Long before it rotted, I used to play there, and wander around inside the house

and imagine what it was like to live there. 

 The rooms were very small, but it seemed cozy. 

~

Today, I looked at this picture and I wanted to be there again,

walking the grounds, smelling the lilacs and hydrangea and the

earthy smells of the walnuts rotting on the ground. 

I wanted to touch the rotting logs and smell the decay of cloth and rust.

~

I want to wander the days of my childhood,

and walk where my ancestors walked.  I want to talk to their

ghosts at their gravestones, and step my feet into their church again.

~

I am homesick.

Happy Thanksgiving - Letters from the Past and Today

Letters from the Past

~

Dear Sarah:

You must think that I have forgotten you but

I am heartsick every time I think of owing you a letter. 

Am working just as hard as ever.  Work til seven every night and eat my supper at 8 '0'clock. 

 This is not very much time for any thing. 

Heard Claus and Mollie were out to see you. 

 They certainly don't bother any of us. 

 Never called on Irene yet or me. 

We have the phone they could easyle ring us up and let us know they would come. 

 It's hard to be poor and be looked down on

but they nednt be ashamed to call on Irene.  That's a cinch. 

Will surely write you later.  Best wishes to both of you from your loving sister,

Matilde

~

Letters from Today:

~

Dear Friends:

I pray you are all well and are able to celebrate the day will some good food and friends.

I pray all the little children in your care,

and even the ones

who have no one,

are blessed today.

~

I pray all the ones who are lonely,

old and young,

find a blessing in their heart,

a sign of hope

from the ONE who gives us

all the Great Hope.

~

I wish you Peace

XXOO

BB

Sarah J.

Peony: This is my Sarah J. Bebe says she is the practical one in the family. She says she has her two feet in the ground.

Bebe: Peony! Not IN the ground! She has her two feet ON the ground!

Peony: Okay! . . . but what exactly does that mean?

Bebe: It means she believes in keeping in touch with reality, not forgetting about what it means to live life daily, without your head in the clouds, like us! Like you must cook and clean up -- Every Day!

Peony: Like making my bed, and brushing my teeth?

Bebe: Yes, that's right. Sarah J. is a very "down to earth" woman. She lived a hard life at times. She used to can all her vegetables. Not only that, but she had a garden, a small apple orchard, and she raised chickens. She used to sell the eggs in town, when times were hard. She even midwifed a few times!

Peony: What's a midwife?

Bebe: Someone who helps bring babies into the world.

Peony: Like how you brought me into the world?

Bebe: Sort of, but not quite the same Peony!